Category Archives: Adult Party

I have been in love with Shirley Temples since the first time my dad ordered me one when I was a little girl. Maybe my 35th birthday had me subconsciously reaching for something that made me feel young. Yet every time I thought of a Shirley Temple , I found myself wanting to “adult” it up a bit with vodka. Maybe I’m finally ok with getting older, emphasis on maybe.
When planning my birthday party I found several great recipes for a dirty shirley but most of them required way too much effort for this working momma. I wanted to try out my own recipe but all I had at home was a can of lemon Sanpellegrino and didn’t want to run to the store for 7-up. Man I am glad I stayed home. The bite of tart lemon really compliments the sweet grenadine and fruity vodka. This drink is crazy refreshing.
I hope you love this recipe like I do.

In honor of my birthday week I though I’d share my 35th birthday party inspiration; a Tropical Flamingo party.

I have been obsessed with flamingos for almost a decade, it all started on a shooting party in an Arizona dessert. My stepmom Sheri had packed up a box of potential targets including a glorious pink lawn flamingo. But as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to save it. I smuggled him out of harms way and stashed “Felipe” in my suitcase. Felipe the flamingo become my beloved mascot, I even named my apartment “the Flamingo.”
In 2008, Felipe was kidnapped and held for ransom. I unfortunately never saw him again. But his memory lives on in my heart.

Here is what you need to throw a fabulous tropical Flamingo party.

Decor

Start with a whole flock of flamingos. But not just any flamingos, go with the original Don Featherstone flamingos, they have the best details.

I have loved Shirley Temples since I was a little girl but since this is my 35th birthday, not my 5th, I decided to “adult” it up for my party by serving a Dirty Shirley. Here is a great recipe from The Solstice Table.

For an appetizer try this tropical bruschetta.
For the main course I will be serving Kahlua pork, coconut rice, and Hawaiian mac salad.
For Dessert try coconut cream pie shooters or a gorgeous coconut cake like this one.

Some call it a drip cake, others a drizzle cake, I like to call it a “drip drizzle cake, I must be conjuring up my inner Snoop Dog. Whatever its name, I am completely obsessed. Im loving all the crazy toppings; donuts, Japanese pocky, bon bons, macaroons, flowers, lollipops, fruit, marshmallow, meringue, cookies, truffles, candy, or mini bottles of Jack, the possibilities are endless.

I am the queen of over doing it and the master of the small details but sometimes there just isn’t enough time in the day to make football shaped cookies and cold cuts in the shape of a football stadium.

The good news is that most people wont mind, especially if you feed them well.
My favorite go to appetizers are: Hummus Flatbread Shooters and Veggie Ranch Shooters.

Hummus Flatbread Shooters

2 oz Shot glasses ( you can pick them up on Amazon here or your local party supply store.)

Your favorite hummus recipe (I used this one from Smitten Kitchen, or you could buy some from the store)

Flatbread

Olive oil

Sea salt and pepper

Paprika

Directions

Prepare Hummus ahead of time and store in a Ziplock bag. Right before your party cut the corner off the hummus bag and pipe hummus into shot glass about half full, drizzle each cup with a small amount of olive oil, and sprinkle with a dash of paprika. Place flat bread on parchment lined baking sheet, brush lightly with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and place in an oven set to broil until slightly toasted. Cut into strips about 3 inches long, I like to use a pizza cutter for this, add to the shot glass.

Veggie Ranch Shooters

2 oz Shot glasses ( you can pick them up on Amazon here or your local party supply store.)

Your favorite Ranch Dressing/Dip ( I used this one from Pioneer Women or you could use a Hidden Valley Packet and follow the instructions)

Cherry Tomatoes

Celery

Cucumbers

Carrots

Snap peas

Tooth picks

Directions

Prepare your Ranch dressing ahead of time. Cut your celery, cucumbers, and carrots approximately 3 inches long and slender so that they will fit in the shot glass. I like to do this ahead of time as well. Right before your party, pour or spoon Ranch into each shot glass, add cut veggies, snap pea, and then place two cherry tomatoes on a took-pick and add it to the shot glass.

My little Oliver Jack is a winter baby, which was great when I was 9 months pregnant and a burning inferno, but not so great when planning a 1st birthday party. The freezing temperatures outside really limited my options. But I decided to embrace my inner hibernation mode and what better way than with Cozy flannel and comfort food; the key ingredients to a Lumberjack themed party.

I fell in love at first site with these invitations from Lauren Haddox designs on Etsy, she also made a gorgeous set of printables that I couldn’t resist.

A couple of weeks before the party we took a little trip to the park to collect pine cones. Which saved me about $20.

Decorations ideas:

Pine cones

Wood stumps

Flannel

An axe or two

Flannel bunting

Lanterns

Mini pine trees

Kraft paper

Burlap

Chili Bar Toppings:

Cheddar cheese

Sour cream

Jalapenos

Fritos or corn chips

Hot sauce

Corn bread muffin

Tater-tots

Waffle Bar Toppings:

Chick-fil-a party platter, perfect for chicken and waffles.

Strawberries

Bananas

Raspberries

Pineapple

Blueberries

White and milk chocolate chips

Whipped cream

Toffee bits

flavored syrup

Peanut butter

Bacon bits

Dessert Bar:

Stout Chocolate Cupcakes, complete with mini ax

Assorted sugar cookies

S’more Pops

deconstructed Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bear

Beverages:

Hot Chocolate Bar complete with “adult add-ins”

Iced Tea and Lemonade for my fave: an Arnold Palmer

Mimosa punch

Water

Oliver’s cake didn’t turn out like I had hoped, but that is what happens when you leave things to last-minute. I had a vision of delicious cream cheese whip layered between gorgeous fluffy giant pancakes. To save myself time I ordered the pancakes from local breakfast joint we love. On the day of the party we picked up the to-go order and headed to the venue. I was really sad to find that they gave me their small pancakes instead of their large. I had to improvise and the good news is, Oliver Jack didn’t mind. It tasted amazing!

I loved this party theme so much I want to throw a lumberjack party every winter.

I love to cook, bake, plan parties, decorate, and craft. I love being a mom. I want to improve my health in lasting, lifelong ways…Travel the world and create treasured memories with the ones I love. I want to treasure the little moments.